The featured projects involve volunteers using the arts to engage with various beneficiary groups. If you are an individual or a group interested to volunteer using the arts, please contact Chua_Jia_Lin@nac.gov.sg to explore opportunities or collaborations.
Pilot Programmes
1) Terracotta Clay Programme
Partners: National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)
Artist: Angie Seah
Playing with clay has been known to help the development of fine motor skills, improve hand-eye co-ordination and visual observation. It also relieves stress and tension, and improves one’s nerve and blood supply through rolling, folding and kneading the clay.
Artist Angie Seah carried out two introductory clay workshops to equip more than 50 volunteers with the basics of working with clay. These volunteers subsequently carried out 11 spin-off activities with some 100 other volunteers and 180 beneficiaries –children, families and special needs persons.
“I have made new friends, learnt how to interact with others, especially with the kids from Grace Orchard School.” – Volunteer Farah Danial Mok
“I’ll like to apply what I’ve learnt on other elderly or children’s homes.” – Volunteer Cheng Kwei Chai
“I have learnt to play with clay and to create nice ornaments and objects. At the same time, I can share my knowledge and skills with the beneficiaries.” – Volunteer Pok Sok Cheng 2) Plaster Casting Workshop
Partner: National University of Singapore Community Services Club (NUS CSC)
Artist: Angie Seah
Did you know that medical supplies such as plaster bandage which is often used to create casts to support injured limbs can also be used to make 3-D art pieces?
Artist Angie Seah worked with 20 youth volunteers to impart the technique of creating sculptures of their hands through plaster casting. After learning the plaster casting technique, volunteers were able to create moulds of various objects. After the workshop, the volunteers facilitated their own plaster casting activities with children and youth beneficiaries.
“It is simple and fun to make. It also gives room to kids/ youths to exercise creativity.” – Volunteer Wei Lie
“It is interesting. This is something that you don't get to do at home by yourself.” – Volunteer April
3) Paper Sculpture and Clay Painting Workshop
Partner: National University of Singapore Community Services Club (NUS CSC)
Artist: Chua Chin Chin
Volunteers worked with artist Chin, who taught them how to play with paper “in the same manner as Lego”. Volunteers learnt how to build their own colourful paper sculptures creatively with minimal materials.
In the second half of the workshop, volunteers had the opportunity to play with clay to create their desired “paintings”.
After the workshop, the volunteers facilitated their own spin-off craft activities with elderly and special needs beneficiaries.
“It's a very hands-on activity that will be very interactive for our beneficiaries.” – Volunteer Yin Min
“I like art and volunteering! And the synergy that the 2 combines.” -- Volunteer Jeremy 4) Stencil Art and Painting on Canvas and Tote Bags
Partner: Club Rainbow and National University Hospital
Artist: Justin Lee
Volunteers worked with artist Justin Lee to pick up ideas for a creative art making project using stencils to create abstract designs with simple shapes and patterns on tote bags. In the second part of the workshop, volunteers experimented with the straw blowing technique to create their own artwork with acrylic paints.
After the workshop, the volunteers carried out their own spin-off activities to bring cheer to terminally-ill children and youths from Club Rainbow and NUH.
5) Felt/Fabric Plushies
Partner: Start Now (volunteer connection platform)
Artist: Tay Bee Aye
Artist Tay Bee Aye facilitated a brainstorming session for volunteers to consider various themes before selecting a theme for their groupwork. Using a non-needle method for safety reasons, volunteers worked in groups to create collaborative works using fabric and felt materials. After the workshop, volunteers facilitated spin-off activities for children and elderly beneficiaries, creating keychains, cushions and other small objects using fabric and felt materials.
